The Portland daily press., 1887-01-04
REFORM SCHOOL.
The Annual Report of the Trustees
to the Council.
Mr.. o'Donoghue o DIssents From the
Majority Report.
The School In Better Condition Than
Ever Before.

The trustees of the Reform School, through
their chairman, Hon. Albion Little, make
the following report to the Governor and
| Council:
TO His Ercellency the Gorernor, and the
| Honorable Council Of the State of Mdine:
The trustees of the Maine State Reform
| School, respectfully present this. their thir-
ty-third annual report, together with the an
| nual report OF the treasurer and superinten-
| dent During the year just closed, the
board have given as much time and careful
consideration to the affairs of the school as
the important trust seemed to demand.
| Quarterly meetings OF the board have been
| held at the school on the third Tuesdays Of
| February, May, August and November At
the quarterly meetings Of the board the trus-
| tees have carefully examined the school in
all its departments, and acted upon all mat
| ters pertaining to its management that have
| come to their notice; and the secretary has
recorded the results of all their observations
| and d0ings.
Besides the quarterly meetings Of the
board, an executive committee, composed Of
three members, have visited the school once
every month, and have ordered the superin-
| tendent TO make such purchases and repairs
| as from time to time seemed necessary; ex-
| amined as to whether economy was observed
| in all the departments of the school. and the
| quality and quantity Of food and clothing
| furnished. They have inspected the build
| that they were kept clean and neat; have in
| quired into the behavior of all the officers,
and employees, examined all bills Of the SUI
perintendent, and if found correct, approved
them; have kept correct record Of all their
doings, and once in every three months have
reported the same to the board of trustees.
Also, committees composed of two mem-
|. be.s OF the board alternating with each 9th
er have visited the school once in every four
weeks, examined the register, and inmates
OF the school rooms, work shops and on the
farm, and have made record Of the same. 1t
gives to the trustees great pleasure to be able
to say that in their judgment this Institution
is IN more satisfactory condition than at
any period since its foundation. The ap-
p0intments of the institution are very good.
The buildings are thoroughly warmed and
ventilated, and there Is an abundance Of
pure water. The boys clothing Is excellent
and the variety and quality Of their food sat
isfactory.
THE "coNGREGATE" AND COTTAGE" sYs-
TENS.
We believe that the present management
and the results attained will compare fav0ra-
ply with those of any similar institution in
thislcountry where the "Congregate" system
Is IN operation; but nevertheless, we are not
satisfied with the ''Congregate' system. 1t
is not abreast of the times 1t does not adj
NIT of that high standard of freedom and
contentment and of that home like feeling
such as Is found to exist in Reform Schools
where the Family, system is in use.
The superiority of the Cottage" over the
Congregate" system is demonstrated by the
fact that no state during the last twenty
years, has adopted the latter; and that no
state having the Cottage" would change to
the "Congregate," and that states having
the "Congregate," would gladly change to
the. Cottage" and that states having both
systems are rapidly changing to the Got
tage" altogether The Cottage" is more
natural and home-like. 1t gives to the boys
more out Of door life, and brings them more
IN contact with nature, pure air, and sun
shine giving to them health, vigor and con-
tsentment Mr.. Geo. E; Howe, isuperinten-
dent OF the Connecticut Reform School, who
mas had long and successful experience
under both systems, in private letter on
this subject writes
.sIf one system is superior to another in reform
atory influences, we have ne right 10 adopt any
other than the superior system"
While, we fully believe in the principle
that no unnecessary expense shall be toler-
ated in this institution, we also believe, that
this noble charity should not be crippled, or
its soutward growth retarded by Withholding
anv proper appropriations TO advance It's
usefulness; for the good here accomplished
cannot be measured by dollars and cents.
That the sentiment Of the state Is in favor
of placing this institution on a par, to say
the least, with the more modern reform
schools of sister states, Is demonstrated by
the fact. that the legislature has made liberal
appropriations TO build, equip and MAINTAIN
a mechanical school for the purpose Of Civ
ing to the boys instruction in mechanical
arts, and to supply pure water from the Port
land Water Company, and other valuable
improvements. We would most respectfully
suggest that the next legislature may, by its
committee inquire into the merits OF the
more modern system of reclaiming de-
linquent, and wayward boys.
1t may be asked by some, Does not the
Cottage system cost more than the Con-
gregate?'' This is avery proper question.
NVaa uaa
worth more
THE VISITING COMMITTEE.
The visiting committee, composed Of three
members of the Honorable Council, and one
lady-Mrs. Geo. S. Hunt Of Portland-have
aided the trustees very materially in their
efforts to better the condition OF these un-
fortunate lads. All consultations between
the visiting committee and the trustees have
been of a pleasant and profitable nature.
Criticisms and suggestions from the commit
tee have been most kindly given and recelv-
ed and have been promptly acted upon by
the trustees.
Mrs. Hunt, of the committee, has taken
deep interest in the general welfare Of the
homeless and friendless boys, providing com
Portable homes for some OF them upon their
leaving the school. and by her kindly spirit
and encouraging words has awakened In
others desire for better life.
BILL OF FARE.
For long time, the trustees have felt the
necessity Of making some change in the
boys bill of fare, giving them greater va
riety of food. Consultations upon the solu-
tion of this problem usually ended in the dec
laraton that the annual appropriation would
not admit of anv farther outlay in this de-
partment. But as improvements were made
in the other departments all criticisms and
complaints seemed to center on this one de-
feet.
Again the problem was considered, and the
desired changes adopted, and as result
there is a better feeling OF contentment
among the boys. This change of diet will
necessitate an increase in the annual appro-
priation for current expenses.
CONDITIONAL DISCHARGES.
Boys between the ages of and 16 years,
are sent to the school during minority; but
this does not signify that they are necessari-
ly to remain that period. Under the rules OF
| the trustees, a boy may, by uniform good
conduct, earn a position of honor in two
| years that will entitle him to hearing;
| and upon the trustees being satisfied that he
| will conduct himself as an honest member OF
| society, he is granted condltlonal dlscharSe.
After a suitable trial, If it is found that he
| has not sufficient strength Of character to so
conduct himself, then he may be returned TO
the school and remain until he Is better pre-
pared to reslsts the temptations which he
may meet in life.
1t is the policy Of the trustees to thus dis
| charge boy, as soon as there Is sufficient
| evidence Of his reform, as BY so doing
/ great incentive to correct action is nelu out
| to every boy in school.
| When a boy has been in the school two
years, and is in the honor grade, he is entl-
| tied to a hearing before the trustees In their
| office at the school. A hearing of boy is
something like this:
| "Well, Thomas, how long have you been here?"
| 1.-TWO years, one month and ten days"
'What is your present grade?"
| "HonOr five and ten merits"
"How l0Dglhage you been In the first elaSS?"
"a year and two months"
| "Were you ever In the third class?"
| "No, sir"
(Which class do you like best?"
| 81 like the first class best because there i am
| trusted more, and have more privileges"
| "H0w have YOU been treated while here?"
| "As well as have deserved. When boy be-
| haves himself he Is treated WELL"
"Haye you ever been punished; II so, what
| for?"
"Yes for wasting cane, and for dlsObeying the
| teacher and chair officer"
"Haye you any complaints 10 make?"
| mo, sir"
apo you have enough food to eat9"
Yes, sir, and 1t is good deal better than it
used TO be-"
''What kind of work have you done here?"
"Cane-seating chairs, worked on the farm and
in the mechanical shop"
(Which do you like best?f
II like the mechanical shop best"
"Why do you like the mechanical shop best?"
81 learn something there that Is useful and